Stringed musical instrument



Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,809

H. G. JEROME STHINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Feb. 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet Henry 6. Jerame :nvemor By i Feb. 12, 1929.

Filed Feb. 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [/0737 6, Jl'flm Inventor Attorneys Patented Feb. 12, 1,929.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY G. JEROME, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT;

Application filed February 21, 1927. Serial No. 169,922.

ine present invention relates to improvements in musical instruments and has for its primary objectto provide an instrument in the nature of a violin designed to produce a strengthened and mellow tone.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an instrument of the above character which can be conveniently played in the manner of a violin and which will produce a substantially intensified tone.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an instrument adapted to produce tones similar to a violin and con structed so that the tones will be projected a great distance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designatie corresponding parts throughout the same- Figure 1 is a top plan View of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at one side of the violin body;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged section of the same;

Figure 4 is a side elevational View of the body disconnected from the sound box;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the sound box;

Figure (3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line G--6 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a. fragmentary top plan view showing a modified form of the de ice.

Referring to the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred and modified form of the invention, the numeral 10 generally designates the instrument body which is in the form of a longi tudinal relatively narrow frame of rectangular cross section having its sides formed in the contour of a diminishing taper from the central portion to the forward and rear ends. The top and bottom of the body 10 are also tapered in simulation of a violin body, the rear end tern1i nating in a longitudinally extending neck 11.

The outer extremity of the neck 11 is formed to provide an upper saddle 12 terminating in a scroll. 13. The ii'itmniediatc portion of the body 10 is formed with an angularly directed recess 14 in the form of a deep groove through the body. This groove projects through the major portion of the body and the front and rear portions are connected by a relatively thin bottom strip 15. shown to advantage in Figures 3 and 4, intermediate grooves are formed through the body at the side and bottom edges of the main groove 14 so as to provide inwardly projecting contact strips 16 at the upper edges of the groove and rahbeted lower corner projections 17 adapted to snugly engage a sound duct or box 18.

The sound box 18 is preferably in the form of a hollow longitudinal duct rectangular in cross section and having a uniformly diminishing taper toward its outer rear end. \Vith particular reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, it will be noted that the sound box 18 is provided with a pair of circular openings 19 .on its upper side adjacent the body. The outer reduced end enclosed by a solid end plate 20 while the enlarged forward end is fitted with a perforated frame. From an examination of Figure 2 it will be noted that the sound box is of transversely eloi'igated formation designed to be snugly fitted in the groove 14. in the body so as to project at an acute angle with the longitudinal extension of the body.

Securely mounted on the neck 11 and extending over the rear end of the body is a conventional type of finger board 21. Attached to the usual type of pegs 22 fitted in the upper saddle 12 and extending over the finger board are strings 23 having their forward ends connected with a tail piece 24 detachably associated with the rear end the connection of these members and marin tain the same in rigid relation.

lVith particular reference to Figure 7 wherein is illustrated a modified form of the invention, it will be noted that the forward enlarged portion of the sound box 18 is formed to present a bell shay ed extension 29, formed by bowing the sides mitwardly in. opposed directions and extending the top and bottom sections of the sound box thereon so that a uniform vertical thickness will be maintained. This form of the instrument is preferably provided with only one upper opening 30 arranged adjacent the position of the bridge.

In use, the present instrument is played in the same identical manner as a violin, the angular position of the sound box being arranged to avoid interference with the movc ment of the bow on the strings so that the transverse dimensions of the instrument at the bowing position will not exceed the usual waist dimensions of a violin. Vfhile the instrument comprising the present application will produce a tone somewhat similar to that of the violin, the volume will be. substantially increased so as to produce a sound equal to a plurality of violins.

Itis to beunderstood that the form ofmy invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, and that various changes to the shape, size and arrangements of parts may .be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, l claim: v

1. A stringed musical instrument of the character described comprising'an elongated body formed with an intermediate recess, a sound box secured -within the recess in the body and arranged at an an ular position with respect to the body, strings operatively mounted on the body and a bridge resting on the sound box adapted to support the strings in elevated position.

2. A stringed musical instrument'oi": the character described comprising-an elongated body having anangularly directed groove formed in the intermediate portion thereof, a tapered sound box fitted in the groove and projecting at each side of the body and a bridge resting on the sound box adapted to support the strings in elevated position.

3. A stringed musical. instrument or. the character described comprising a longitudinal solid body formed with an angular transversely extending groove, an elongated sound box having its intermediate portion fixed in the grooveand arranged at an angular position with respect to the body, strings arnged on the body and extending over the intermediate portion of the sound box and a bridge resting on the sound box adapted to support the strings in elevated position thereon.

i. A stringed musical instrument comprising an elongated body having a transverse angularly directed groove formed in its intermediate portion, a neck formed on one end of the body and extending longitudinally therefrom, a string saddle formed on the en d of the neck, a sound box secured within the groove oi? the body and projecting each side thereof, a plurality of strings attached to the said string saddle and to a tail piece mounted on the opposite end of the body, and a bridge resting on the intermediate portion of the sound box supporting the strings in eievated position.

5. A stringed musical instrument comprising a longitudinal extending body having a transverse angularly intersecting'groove formed therein, a longitudinally extending neck formed on one end of the body, a saddle formed on the extremity of the neck, a finger board secured on the neck and overhanging a portion of the body, a tapered sound box enclosed at one end and having a plurality of openings formed in the top secured in the groove in the body, and a plurality of strings extending from the saddie to a tail piece attached to the opposite end of the body. I

6. A stringed musical instrument comprising an elongated body having an angularly directed groove formed through its int rmediate portion, a longitudinal tapered sound box of rectangular cross section fitted in the groove oi the body and progectm ubstan tially at each side thercoit at an acute angular position with respect to the body, the reduced end of the sound box being enclosed while the enlargedcnd' is open, an opening formed in the top of the sound box adjacent l t' tl b l l'lt L it intoisec ion or 1e ouy, ant a p ma 1 y of strings arranged in longitudinal positions on the body and engageable with a bridge resting on theintermediate portion of the sound box. 7 P L 1; .J-

A sti inged musical lllSul ument comprisi ng a longitudinal body formed with a tran verse groove, a longitudinal sound box having its intermediate portion fitted in the groove of the body and havingits enlarged end formed with bell shaped extension and open while the reduced end carries a plate, and a plurality of strings operativelymount ed on the body resting on a bridge positioned on the intermediate portion of the sound box.

lUu

S. In a stringed musical instrument comarranged in the enlarged end of the sound prising a longitudinal body formed with an box, and a plurality of strings operatively 10 angular transversely extending groove, a mounted on the body and extending across tapered sound box of rectangular cross secthe sound box.

5 tion fitted in the groove of the body and In Witness WhereofIhave hereunto set my projecting from each end thereof, the enhand. larged end of the sound box being formed to provide a bell shaped extension, a plate HENRY GEO. JEROME. 

